Can Bank Locker Be Broken?

Yes, a bank locker can be broken open, but only under specific circumstances and following a defined procedure.

Circumstances Under Which a Bank Locker Can Be Broken Open

Banks cannot arbitrarily break open a locker. They must adhere to a strict protocol. Some key reasons and procedures include:

Non-Payment of Rent: If the locker rent is not paid, the bank will send notices. According to the reference, if the notices are returned undelivered, the bank must issue a public notice of at least three months in two newspapers (one English) before breaking open the locker.
Legal Requirements: Law enforcement agencies, with appropriate legal warrants or court orders, can compel a bank to open a locker for investigation purposes.
Suspected Illegal Activity: If the bank suspects illegal activity or items are stored in the locker, they may take action, often involving legal authorities.
Abandonment/Unclaimed Lockers: If a locker remains unclaimed for a prolonged period and the bank is unable to contact the locker holder, they can break it open following due process.

Before breaking open a locker, banks generally follow these steps:

Issuing Notices: The bank will send repeated notices to the locker holder at their registered address.
Public Notice: As stated in the reference, if notices are returned, the bank will issue a public notice in newspapers.
Inventory and Documentation: When the locker is opened, the bank will create a detailed inventory of the contents, often in the presence of witnesses. This is crucial for transparency.
Safe Keeping: The contents are usually stored securely by the bank until they can be claimed by the rightful owner or their legal heirs.

To avoid such situations, locker holders should: